Circle of Fifths is a brand new range from the 2025 Halliday Winery of the Year

Giant Steps’ reputation has been built on the single-vineyard wines – particularly pinot noir and chardonnay – it makes from its five unique sites in the Yarra Valley. 

But on June 18, the winery will release a brand-new range called Circle of Fifths, comprising a pinot noir and a chardonnay made with fruit from all five vineyards. 

The new range consists of two wines: a pinot noir and a chardonnay, both from the 2024 vintage.

Giant Steps do already produce wines that blend multiple vineyards – on top of its single-vineyard range – but the difference between Circle of Fifths and its Yarra Valley range is that the latter includes fruit from growers, and the wines are generally juicy, approachable and designed to be drunk early. The new range is much more complex. “They're serious wines," says Mel. "It’s the quality our single sites are known for, coming together.”

Hence the name. In music, the circle of fifths is a theory that shows the relationship between different keys and harmonies. Senior winemaker Mike Latham adds: “Musically, the circle of fifths works in a chain to form a chord, using rules to build sounds and form a chorus, just like we bring our vineyard sites together to create a perfect harmony.” 

Senior winemaker Mike Latham and head winemaker Mel Chester.

See how Halliday taster Philip Rich scored them below 

Giant Steps 2024 Circle of Fifths Chardonnay
An exciting new addition to the Giant Steps range, this new blend of all the single-vineyard wines is an absolute cracker and sits very comfortably in the range, both qualitatively and price-wise. Aromas of gently grilled nuts, confit lemon and a touch of struck match can all be found on the bouquet, while the palate is chalky, tensile and long. By the time this is released in June it should be singing. – Philip Rich, 96 points

Giant Steps 2024 Circle of Fifths Pinot Noir 
Along with the chardonnay, this is an exciting new addition to the Giant Steps range.  A blend of all the single-vineyard wines and mainly from the vineyards in the Upper Yarra. 40% whole bunches. Gently brooding with aromas of wild black cherries and raspberries along with some whole-bunch-derived fennel seed spice and a touch of violets. Concentrated, with far more stuffing that the Yarra Pinot. Ripe, suave tannins ensure this will be worth cellaring for at least five to eight years. – Philip Rich, 96 points.

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